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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 21, 2002

I'm Not the Person Who Launched Cambodian War: King Sihanouk

King Norodom Sihanouk issued a message to his Cambodian countrymen here on Thursday, saying that he is not the person who launched a Cambodian war in 1970.


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King Norodom Sihanouk issued a message to his Cambodian countrymen here on Thursday, saying that he is not the person who launched a Cambodian war in 1970.

Sihanouk said in his message that "I'm not the person who launched the Cambodian war." In fact, Non Nol, then President of Cambodia, and his U.S. boss launched this Cambodian war. He noted that a number of statements and articles issued then by many western prominent figures could testify on behalf of himself.

The king pointed out in his message that on March 18, 1970, Non Nol unleashed a coup d'etat to abolish him and the Cambodian people then in some provinces arose and waged struggles against Non Nol, while Non Nol suppressed the people with artillery and tanks.

At that time, he was in Beijing, the king said, adding that he called on the people to go into the jungle and take up arms to fight against Non Nol, instead of calling on them to join the " Khmer Rouge"(former Democratic Kampuchea).

Sihanouk said "I did not join the "Khmer Rouge." The fact is that Khieu Samphan, Hu Nim, leaders of "Khmer Rouge", sent a letter to him and asked him to join the front and government headed by himself (then he was in Beijing), he said.

He returned back to Cambodia after the downfall of Non Nol, " Khmer Rouge" insisted that Sihanouk should be head of state and chairman of Democratic Kampuchea, but he refused, he added.

He affirmed that Khieu Samphan, Nuon Chea and Ieng Sary who are alive can give evidence for what he said in the message.


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